Govt. wants direct Tahiti-China flight

French Polynesia Tourism minister Steeve Hamblin would like to have a direct Tahiti-China flight in the months to come.

Hamblin told the Council of ministers last week the matter is to be discussed during an important meeting in China.

The meeting is scheduled to take place during two days (Sept. 15-16) in Beijing, China.

Representatives from China and France will discuss airlines routes and France has asked French Polynesia to take part in that meeting too, a government press release states.

Hamblin claimed a direct flight between Papeete and Beijing would be a great opportunity to attract more visitors to Tahiti and Her Islands.

There are no words yet about which airline could operate such a flight between Tahiti and China. But the government would reportedly like a Chinese airline to operate the flight.

The Tahiti Chamber of Commerce is already organizing a charter flight with Air Tahiti Nui in September and October.

The charter flight will leave Papeete September 28 and return to Tahiti October 8.

Hamblin also said having a direct flight is only logical after weeks of Tahiti promotion at the Shanghai World Expo.

ATP